BJP drops three Telangana leaders from national team, State left without major posts
In a significant organisational reshuffle announced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, the party's Telangana unit has been left without major representation in the new national team. All three senior national office-bearers from the State were dropped, a move that has disappointed leaders and grassroots workers.
Mahabubnagar MP D.K. Aruna, Rajya Sabha member and national OBC Morcha president K. Laxman, and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar were removed from their respective party positions. Mr. Laxman was replaced as the head of the OBC Morcha, Mr. Sanjay lost his role as national general secretary and responsibility for the farmers' wing, and Ms. Aruna was removed as national vice-president.
The decision has sparked speculation that the central leadership is dissatisfied with the functioning of the Telangana unit, which has been troubled by factionalism and leadership rivalries. Over recent months, senior leaders from the State had held several meetings in Hyderabad and New Delhi in an apparent bid to project unity. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Mr. Laxman were among those who hosted interactions aimed at bridging differences.
Highly placed sources indicate that persistent infighting in the State unit had become a growing concern for the party high command. Reports suggest that some MPs and senior leaders spent considerable time in Delhi lodging complaints against rivals rather than focusing on strengthening the organisation at the grassroots. Public disagreements, factional lobbying, and social media attacks among leaders are said to have particularly irked the central leadership.
The message from the party leadership, according to sources, is clear: leaders must work collectively and prioritise organisational expansion over individual agendas. The reshuffle is therefore being widely interpreted as a stern warning for the Telangana unit to improve internal discipline.
The disappointment is compounded by the fact that neighbouring Andhra Pradesh secured significant representation in the national team. Senior Andhra leaders such as Ram Madhav, D. Purandeswari, and Vishnu Vardhan Reddy have been included, prompting comparisons within BJP circles. This has intensified dissatisfaction among Telangana leaders, who feel their State's contributions have been overlooked.
A senior BJP functionary acknowledged that factionalism likely influenced the decision. "Instead of projecting collective strength, leaders repeatedly carried their differences to Delhi. That did not go down well with the top leadership," the leader said on condition of anonymity.
Sources said the Telangana unit had recommended names like Bangaru Shruthi, G. Premender Reddy, Kasam Venkateswarlu, and Duggiyala Pradeep Rao for larger organisational roles. While some may still be accommodated in the national executive, morchas, or other committees, no major appointments have been announced so far.
The reshuffle has also triggered speculation about a possible Union Cabinet expansion, with some leaders hoping that Telangana could receive ministerial berths as compensation. However, no official indication has been given by the party leadership.
State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao sought to downplay concerns, stating that national positions are not allocated on a State quota basis but according to organisational requirements. "Appointments are made to strengthen the party nationally, not to satisfy regional expectations," he said.
